Sisters charged for inciting unrest

Two women were brought from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, where they were charged for inciting unrest through social media and colluding with Wutthipong Kochthammakhun, or Ko Tee, a fugitive red-shirt member on the run from a lese majeste charge. Sisters Siripen Tibkhum, 67, and Suksinee Tibkhum, 50, were detained by police in the northern province for their alleged involvement in the “Fight for Federation” group. They were both accused of posting messages on Facebook inviting people to take part in a symbolic pro-federalism march that took place on Dec 5 last year in Chiang Rai’s Muang district. According to the police, they admitted to having worn a pro-federalist T-shirts during the march. However, during questioning, the sisters denied any connection with Mr Wutthipong, who reportedly fled to Laos after a warrant was issued for his arrest in April 2014 for the lese majeste charge. Mr Wutthipong has also been implicated in firearms case, which saw a cache of weapons confiscated from a house in Pathum Thani in March last year.